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World Series Game 7: 1st Pitch Can't Come Soon Enough for Cubs Fans Eager to See Title Drought End

PLUS: 3rd time vs. Corey Kluber a charm? | World Series Game 7 records | When does the game start? | How to watch the game on TV and online.

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The 2016 season for the Chicago Cubs comes down to one game. A victory for the Cubs means winning a World Series crown for the first time since 1908 and ending the lament of "next year will be their year" for hundreds of thousands of fans.

But Chicago must still play the Cleveland Indians in Game 7 in this winner-take-all contest. Here's your quick guide to what you need to know before the first pitch is thrown and history is made by one of these teams.

2016 World Series: Cubs vs. Indians

The best-of-seven series is tied, 3-3. Check out the Game 6 recap.

GAME 7

First Pitch: 7:08 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2

Where: Progressive Field in Cleveland

TV | Radio | Streaming: Fox 32 Chicago (WFLD-TV) | 670 the Score (WSCR-AM), ESPNRadio 1000 (WMVP-AM) | Fox Sports Go

Pitching Matchup: Kyle Hendricks (1-1, 1.31 ERA) vs. Corey Kluber (4-1, 0.89 ERA)

Cleveland Weather, Wednesday, Nov. 2

High: 74° | Low: 58°

Forecast: Light rain overnight | Wind: SSW 7 mph | Chance of precipitation: 11%

Go to Patch Cleveland's weather page for an hourly forecast.

Counting the Hours Until the 1st Pitch

Like over-excited children waiting for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, many Cubs fans couldn't get to sleep Tuesday night as they anticipated Wednesday's historic Game 7 and the chance for the team to end its 108-year title drought.

It's a game they've waited a lifetime for, so what are a few hours? About as long as another whole lifetime, if you ask some fans:

There's a saying that the sweetest sounding words in sports are "Game 7." That was true for the Cubs faithful after the Game 5 loss. But going into Wednesday's game, the sweetest sounding words for fans of the North Siders are "Game 7 winners."

Will 3rd Time vs. Kluber be the Charm?

Cleveland starting pitcher Corey Kluber has frustrated Cubs hitters in the two previous games they've faced him. In the World Series so far, Chicago batters have only scored one run off of nine hits in the 12 innings he's pitched against them.

Despite that dominance, Kluber — who will be starting on three days' rest — is the one who faces the daunting task going into Game 7. There have only been 13 pitchers to win three games in one World Series. Of those, only six of them have been starters, and the last time that happened was in 1968 when Mickey Lolich did it with the Detroit Tigers.

One thing in Kluber's favor is that he'll only need to go five innings for the Indians. Manager Terry Francona will be quick to bring in reliever Andrew Miller, who has been just as effective as Kluber against the Cubs and didn't throw a pitch in Game 6.

Which Team Has the Better Game 7 Record?

Wednesday won't be the first time either franchise has reached Game 7 of the World Series. Both teams played a Game 7 in their last World Series appearances, and both teams had less-than-ideal outcomes:

  • In 1997, Indians closer Jose Mesa couldn't hold a 2-1 lead in the ninth inning, and the Florida Marlins tied the game. The Marlins eventually won in the 11th inning on Edgar Renteria's soul-crushing, two-out, bases-loaded single.
  • In 1945, the Cubs probably knew they were in trouble when starting pitcher Hal Borowy — who had already pitched a combined 18 innings in the series — gave up three singles to the Detroit Tigers' first three batters and was pulled. The Tigers scored five runs in the first inning and went on to win the game, 9-3.

Overall, the Cubs are 0-1 when a World Series goes the limit. The Indians' record is 1-1. Cleveland's one Game 7 win came in the 1920 series against the Brooklyn Robins.

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